How is this a mistake? Google is offering a device that addresses the major chief concern of many who were or are not Nexus fans: an expandable SD card slot; and, of my own preference, 1 - a back button on the right, not left, side of the device; 2 - dedicated physical home button; and 3 - an ever-present Menu button.
And with what downside?

AnonD-78939, 15 May 2013This will be a big hit among tech enthusiasts only if they sell in more than 4-5 countriesDoes this mean open source drivers and fully functioning aosp on a Samsung device? Samsung or qualcomm hold the keys. I don't thing Samsung will share so it will likely be a snapdragon. I honestly don't think Samsung will open source their exynos drivers. If they do then great, it would mean CM team back on board and an excellent custom Rom experience without the glitches and bugs that plague aosp roms on sammy devices in spite of the best devs best efforts, but I doubt they will.

AnonD-114713, 15 May 2013Great news .... but again Samsung :S ... At least give other manufactures a chance too or may ... moreHTC decided to throw its lot in with Facebook for the failed HTC First. Samsung, being a better marketing strategist, went with Google. Looks like HTC slipped up badly!

ithehappy, 15 May 2013There you go. Samsung is all for their TW thingy, it looks stupid and ugly to kids, but it's t... moreDo you really think Google intends to outsell the Touchwhizzed S4? There wont be any marketing for this outside of online ads. Its about options. Just because one phone sells more than another doesnt mean its better.

This is a hail mary play by Samsung to it greatest competition the HTC ONE. It will be only fair if Google extends such a deal to the HTC ONE as well. Also i will hope that they can include the 32GB or even the 64GB GS4 to this deal. Makes me want the GS4 now..but i will like to know whats the deal with the next Nexus..who will be the OEM.